Flight Test Maint Technician, Prime Air Flight Test Operations

How do you deliver items to customers quickly, cost-effectively, and—most importantly—safely, in as fast as 30 minutes? And how do you do it in a way that scales? Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been working hard to do just that! We’re already delivering to customers and are excited about what’s to come. For more details, check out the About Amazon blog: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-expansion

If you're looking for an environment that fosters innovation, where you can apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve real-world delivery challenges and make a positive impact on customers, Prime Air is the place for you!

Join the Amazon Prime Air Team!

Prime Air is looking for an experienced drone maintenance technician with a strong technical background and a passion for keeping complex drone systems safe and mission-ready. We seek resourceful problem-solvers who can diagnose novel failures, adapt to evolving configurations, and think critically under pressure. Here, you'll work hard, have fun, and, of course, make history!

As a Prime Air Flight Test Maintenance Technician, you will maintain and troubleshoot a diverse fleet of experimental and prototype drones that are continuously changing in hardware, software, and configuration. While you will operate within our standardized maintenance framework, our test vehicles frequently present first-seen anomalies and unique technical challenges that demand independent diagnostic reasoning, root-cause analysis beyond established procedures, and the ability to develop or adapt troubleshooting approaches in real time.

A critical part of this role is maintaining rigorous configuration control: verifying that each drone is configured to the correct specification for its assigned test card, and executing thorough quality checks during handoffs between configurations. Beyond the drones themselves, you will also maintain ground support equipment (GSE) and battery systems, ensuring they remain serviceable and ready to support test operations. You will collaborate closely with flight test crews, engineering, and other Prime Air stakeholders to ensure every drone meets airworthiness standards and is ready for its next mission.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills who can work from limited documentation, identify systemic trends across a mixed fleet, and exercise sound judgment when standard troubleshooting guides don't apply. You thrive both independently and in a team environment, and you bring a proactive mindset to improving maintenance processes as our platforms mature.

This role requires the ability to carry/lift up to 50 lbs, stand / walk during shifts lasting up to 12 hours, and be able to frequently push, pull, squat, bend and reach.

This role requires the ability to work any shift, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

This role requires travel, up to 50% of the time.

Export Control License: This position may require a deemed export control license for compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Placement is contingent on Amazon’s ability to apply for and obtain an export control license on your behalf.

Key job responsibilities
- Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on a diverse fleet of experimental and prototype drones, ensuring airworthiness and fleet readiness

- Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections, identifying and resolving discrepancies before and after test operations

- Perform component-level maintenance and removal/replacement (R&R) of line-replaceable units (LRUs) across the drone fleet

- Manage configuration control: verify each drone is correctly configured to its assigned test card and execute quality checks during configuration handoffs

- Troubleshoot first-seen anomalies and non-standard technical issues using independent diagnostic reasoning when standard procedures don't fully apply

- Maintain ground support equipment (GSE), battery systems, and other ground infrastructure to support daily test operations

- Support special maintenance projects as required, including GSE builds, battery fleet management, and ground system improvements

- Manage fleet spare parts and inventory

- Follow and contribute to technical documentation, including maintenance manuals and evolving R&D procedures developed in coordination with engineering

- Verify adherence to FAA regulations and Prime Air directives and processes

- Demonstrate a proactive safety mindset in ambiguous situations

- Own fleet performance metrics, maintaining awareness of fleet health and test card readiness, and communicating status during daily standup meetings

- Coordinate closely with Flight Test Engineering on a daily basis to address technical questions, support test requirements, and resolve maintenance issues

- Collaborate with flight test crews to deliver airworthy, mission-ready drones and with broader engineering stakeholders to support their test requirements

A day in the life
Your morning starts with coffee and a team briefing at the Pendleton UAS Range — "Dronetown" USA. You'll review the day's test cards, grab the keys to a fleet truck, and head out to the flightline alongside a talented crew, the drones, and wide-open Eastern Oregon sky. The day might have you configuring a drone for a test card, chasing down an anomaly from yesterday's post-flight, or swapping an LRU between sorties. After lunch with a view of the Blue Mountains, you're back at it — prepping the next bird, updating fleet metrics, or knocking out a GSE maintenance project. You'll spend 85–95% of your time hands-on with the hardware in an immersive field environment that'll make you never want to go back to a shop floor. Let 'er fly! 🤠

About the team
Flight Test Operations is a small, tight-knit team of passionate aviators and maintainers operating in a fast-paced R&D field environment. We take pride in raising the bar for operational excellence within Prime Air. Our mission is ensuring safe test execution that delivers quality results our engineering customers can count on. Every aspect of the Amazon Prime Air customer experience comes through our flightline first. If you want to be at the tip of the spear — working on industry-leading drone technology alongside pilots and maintainers who genuinely love aviation — this is it!

Basic Qualifications

- 2+ years of mechanical and electrical integration or assembly experience
- Experience in installing sub-assemblies and assemblies while working to drawings or CAD files
- Can carry/lift up to 50 lbs, stand/walk during shifts lasting up to 12 hours, and frequently push, pull, squat, bend and reach
- Experience with common business applications and tools (i.e. Microsoft Office, ie. Word, Excel, etc.)
- Travel up to 50% of the time
- Can work in an environment where the noise level varies and is subject to variable temperatures and weather conditions, including working outside in outdoor temperatures and refrigerated environments
- Work flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays
- Valid driver’s license and ability to complete a motor vehicle background check to maintain eligibility to drive company fleet vehicles

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in UAS maintenance, flight testing, or drone operations
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and/or Part 65 Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License
- Knowledge of FAA maintenance regulations
- Demonstrated track record of prioritizing safety in a maintenance or aviation environment
- Experience with configuration management and inventory tracking systems
- Experience with coding/scripting languages and CAD tools

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, OR, Pendleton - 34.61 - 60.57 USD hourly